Negative emotions and coping experiences of nursing students during clinical practices: A focus group interview

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to reveal negative emotions experienced by nursing students during clinical training and their coping experiences. Methods: A total of 10 students studying at Aydın Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Nursing during the 2018–2019 academic year at 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades constituted the study group. The study group was determined according to maximum diversity sampling. The study was conducted in a qualitative, phenomenological design. The data were collected through a focus group interview. The MAXQDA 2018 program was utilized in the data analysis and the creation of models. The data were arranged according to common/similar themes with descriptive analysis. Results: According to the results obtained from the study, three themes, including “emotions experienced in the clinic,” “the effects of emotions experienced in the clinic,” and “the way of coping with negative emotions,” and related subthemes were identified. Conclusion: It was determined that nursing students experienced anger, sadness, helplessness, and despair at most among negative emotions, and they experienced happiness, conscience, and empathy at most among positive emotions. Although negative emotions experienced by students had different effects on psychological, academic, physical, and social fields, the coping ways were observed to be acceptance, indoctrination, and communication at most. Recommendations were made on strengthening the clinical environment and clinical training.